ch 98

Raelen sat in the academy’s grand lecture hall, its high ceilings painted with murals depicting ancient battles and legendary Hunters. Flickering chandeliers hung above, casting warm light over the room packed with eager students. Today was a lesson that had stirred everyone’s curiosity, himself included. Today, they would delve into the history of their world, the origins of the Hunters’ Guilds, and the different types of gates that opened across the land.

The instructor entered, a woman with a commanding presence and a sharp gaze. Her aura radiated authority, and the students instantly fell silent.

“My name is Instructor Lysandra,” she began, her voice carrying through the hall with ease. “Today, we’ll cover the fundamental structure of our world—our history, the Hunters’ rankings, the types of gates, and, of course, the Guilds.”

She gestured to a massive map hanging on the wall behind her, a detailed illustration of the continent. “In the past, our world was plagued by the constant opening of rifts, known as *gates*. These gates connect our world to realms of unimaginable danger. From these gates emerged creatures we called ‘voidlings,’ monstrous beings that destroyed everything in their path.”

Raelen leaned forward, intrigued. He had faced countless horrors across dimensions, but the concept of ‘voidlings’ emerging through rifts was new.

“Voidlings come in many forms,” Lysandra continued, “from lesser creatures that can be slain by beginner Hunters to colossal beasts that require entire teams of seasoned veterans to bring down. It was during this age of chaos that the Hunters were born. People who possessed the courage and the skill to face these beings head-on.”

She turned to the class, her expression fierce. “And that, cadets, is why you are here. The path of a Hunter is not for the faint-hearted. You’re here to defend our world from whatever lies on the other side of those gates.”

Raelen absorbed her words, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This was more than just an academy—it was a crucible, molding warriors to protect the very fabric of their reality.

---

After the brief history, Lysandra moved on to the topic that had everyone’s attention: Hunter rankings.

“Hunters are classified by their strength and skill level, which is monitored closely by the Guilds,” she explained. “There are six main ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and the highest, Obsidian.”

A murmur went through the hall, especially at the mention of the Obsidian rank.

Lysandra continued, her eyes scanning the room. “Bronze Hunters are the lowest rank, often tasked with low-threat missions and basic training. But don’t underestimate them—many start here before rising through the ranks. Silver Hunters are more seasoned, often handling small-scale threats. Gold and Platinum are reserved for those with considerable experience and skill, while Diamond Hunters are elites, each one capable of leading entire guilds.”

She paused, her voice softening. “And then, there are the Obsidians.”

The room went silent again, everyone hanging on her words.

“Obsidians are rare, almost mythical figures in our world. They are legends who have survived countless battles, warriors of unimaginable power who face the deadliest gates. There are only a handful in existence, and their mere presence can turn the tide of a war.”

Raelen listened, captivated. He hadn’t known that the Hunters had such a structured hierarchy, but it made sense. In a world plagued by such dangers, a system like this was essential to maintain order and keep threats in check.

---

The next topic covered the different types of gates. Lysandra waved her hand, and a magical projection of a gate appeared in the center of the hall—a swirling, dark portal with strange energy rippling around it.

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“Gates are not all the same,” she began, gesturing to the projection. “They vary in size, difficulty, and the types of creatures they release. The most common gates are the *F-Rank* and *E-Rank* gates. These gates are relatively small and usually release lesser voidlings that are manageable for newer Hunters.”

The projection shifted, showing a larger, more ominous gate with red and black energy swirling inside.

“Then there are *D-Rank* and *C-Rank* gates. These are more dangerous, often requiring experienced teams. Within these gates, you might find creatures with intelligence, capable of planning ambushes and using weapons.”

Raelen’s interest was piqued as he took in the distinctions. He had seen countless beasts in his time, but the idea of organized, weapon-wielding voidlings brought a new level of threat.

“*B-Rank* and *A-Rank* gates,” she continued, “are even rarer and far deadlier. These gates connect to realms teeming with powerful creatures, often requiring high-ranking Hunters and specialized equipment.”

The hall grew tense as she conjured a final projection—a massive, towering gate shrouded in thick darkness, pulsing with an otherworldly energy.

“And finally, we have the *S-Rank* and *SS-Rank* gates. These are the most dangerous of all, rarely seen but devastating. They are capable of leveling entire cities if not contained quickly, releasing voidlings powerful enough to rival Obsidians. Only the most elite Hunters are ever called to deal with these gates, and even they are not guaranteed survival.”

A heavy silence fell over the room. The reality of their chosen path weighed on them as they stared at the projection, each of them wondering if they would ever face such a challenge.

---

Lysandra turned the lesson towards Guilds, a topic that sparked visible excitement among the students.

“Guilds play a crucial role in our society,” she explained. “They’re organizations where Hunters gather to pool their resources, take on missions, and train together. Guilds offer a support system for Hunters and allow them to take on missions that would be too dangerous alone.”

She projected a list of some of the most famous guilds across the continent, each with their own crest and motto.

“There’s the *Azure Legion*,” she said, pointing to the emblem of a fierce lion set against a blue background. “They’re known for their valor and have produced many Diamond-ranked Hunters.”

She gestured to another crest, a dragon coiled around a sword. “The *Dragon’s Fang* guild specializes in A-Rank and S-Rank gates. They’re known for their discipline and strict training regimen.”

Raelen’s eyes drifted over the different emblems. Each guild had its own identity, its own legacy. He could see how they would shape a Hunter’s life, offering both camaraderie and rivalry.

Lysandra’s gaze settled on him as if sensing his curiosity. “Cadet Raelen, do you have a guild in mind?”

He met her eyes, his expression thoughtful. “Not yet. I suppose I’ll have to see where I fit best.”

She nodded approvingly. “A wise answer. Guilds are more than just alliances—they’re families. Choose carefully, for your guild will shape the Hunter you become.”

---

As the lecture came to a close, Raelen felt as though he had gained a new understanding of this world’s structure. The rankings, the gates, the guilds—they all served a purpose in the grand scheme of things, each piece vital to the survival of their society.

After the class, Raelen stayed behind, lost in thought as he gazed at the map of the continent.

“Planning your future already?” a familiar voice asked.

Raelen turned to see Lana standing beside him, her usual smirk softened into a curious expression.

“Just trying to understand how everything fits together,” he replied, gesturing to the map. “This world has its own order. It’s… complex.”

She nodded, crossing her arms as she looked at the map. “Yeah, but it’s what keeps us safe. Without the Guilds and Hunters, the voidlings would’ve wiped us out long ago.”

Raelen glanced at her, noting the hint of pride in her voice. “Do you already have a guild in mind?”

Lana shrugged, her eyes still fixed on the map. “I’m thinking of joining the *Phoenix Blades.* They’re one of the few guilds that accept cadets straight out of the academy.”

He nodded. “A good choice. They’re respected.”

She glanced at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “And you? What guild would take someone as mysterious as you?”

Raelen chuckled, shaking his head. “I suppose that depends on who’ll have me.”

Lana laughed, but her expression grew serious. “Whatever guild you choose, I’d better see you out there, Raelen. Something tells me you’re meant for more than just studying at the academy.”

He met her gaze, a faint smile on his lips. “I’ll do my best.”

---

As night fell, Raelen returned to his quarters, his mind racing with everything he’d learned. He activated his system, curious to see if any new options had appeared.

*System Interface: Raelen]

Level: 1

Class: Hunter-Initiate

Skills: [Mana Channeling] (Basic), [Light Manipulation] (Locked), [Illusion Creation] (Locked)

Experience Points: 10/100

He examined the skill slots, his gaze lingering on the locked abilities.

“So much to unlock… and so much to learn,” he thought.

He lay back, closing his eyes, already planning his path forward. He would rise through the ranks, learn every skill, face every danger. And he would do it all with the same determination that had carried him through countless lifetimes.